The Accountant's AI Renaissance: Become the Human Edge w/ Jody Padar

Accounting is no longer just about compliance. In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, host Roger Knecht and guest Jodi Paydar, the "Radical CPA" and co-founder of Excel Labs, explore how accounting professionals can stay relevant as AI takes over the technical work in accounting. They discuss trust, communication, leadership, and why human relationships will define the future of the accounting firm. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction and Why Humans Stay Relevant 05:00 Building Trust Through Better Communication 08:36 Change, Fight-Flight-Freeze, and Leadership 11:55 Competition, Firm Futures, and Sponsor Message 17:02 AI Agents and the Human Sign-Off 22:12 Upskilling and Deepening Client Relationships 25:54 Competing on Empathy and Training Teams 28:41 Better Questions and Excitement About the Future 31:51 Efficiency, Training the Next Generation 38:12 Listener Resources and Event Invitations 41:16 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off Key Takeaways: Separate the conversation from the compliance deliverable so clients see the value of your advice. Build stronger communication skills to deepen trust with every client, not just your top four. Upskill your team in advisory conversations, because tax preparation is becoming automated. Ask better questions to uncover client needs and create better financial futures. Choose whether to fight, freeze, or flee the change, and lead with intention before 2030. Featured Quotes: "AI is going to do the accounting work for us. It truly is. It already is." -Jodi Paydar "Our competition today is a fintech or a venture funded, VC backed brand new company." -Jodi Paydar "Accounting has never been a technology problem, it's a value problem." -Roger Knecht Earn CPE: NASBA-approved CPE and IRS-approved CE credits are offered via Earmark by listening to this episode. ⁠ Access our QAS Self-Study Courses here: https://www.earmark.app/channels/0384dbbe-df08-4ae3-ba82-621a7a465e95 Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: Special Offers for our Podcast Listeners, CLICK HERE to take advantage of them today! Remember this: Accounting Success IS Universal. Be sure to listen to our next episode and subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your bookkeeping, accounting, & tax business, please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801-265-3777. And know that if it's about accounting, it's Universal.